Anti-fraud device for coin operated apparatus

ABSTRACT

An anti-fraud device for pay telephones and other coin operated devices in which a locking member which holds back a first inserted coin and is released by insertion of a second coin, is required to move past a stop which is flexibly mounted. In the event of attempted fraud by means of violently vibrating the apparatus -as by striking the coin release button vibration of the stop prevents movement of the locking member. Normally such vibration of the apparatus causes the locking member to move and release the first coin -causing actuation of the coin controlled mechanism.

United States Patent [191 Hemming et al.

[ Sept. 10, 1974 ANTI-FRAUD DEVICE FOR COIN OPERATED APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Raymond Charles Hemming; Harry Maria Coumans, both of London, Ontario, Canada [73] Assignee: Northern Electric Company Limited,

Montreal, Quebec, Canada [22] Filed: Apr. 16, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 351,467

[52] US. Cl. 194/1 G, 194/97 R [51] Int. Cl G07f 3/02, G07f 5/04 [58] Field of Search 194/97 R, DIG. 2, l G

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,749,792 3/1930 Woods 194/97 R 1,871,901 8/1932 Melchert 194/97 R 2,236,571 4/1941 Hoyt et a1. l94/DIG. 2

2,435,933 2/1948 Toolan 194/97 R Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Francis J. Bartuska Attorney, Agent, or FirmSidney T. Jelly [5 7] ABSTRACT An anti-fraud device for pay telephones and other coin operated devices in which a locking member which holds back a first inserted coin andis released by insertion of a second coin, is required to move past a stop which is flexibly mounted. In the event of attempted fraud by means of violently vibrating the apparatus -as by striking the coin release button vibration of the stop prevents movement of the locking member. Normally such vibration of the apparatus causes the locking member to move and release the first coin causing actuation of the coin controlled mechanism.

1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures PAIENIEB 86? l man ANTI-FRAUD DEVICE FORCOIN OPERATED APPARATUS This invention relates to anti-fraud devices for coin operated apparatus, and in particular for pre-pay coin telephones.

A call can be initiated in many coin telephones by the insertion of a single 10 coin or two coins. Means are provided whereby when 5 coins are usedthe first coin inserted is held by a latch until the second coin is inserted. The latch is released after insertion of the second 5 coin, the coin passing to the coin hopper triggering the hopper switch and permitting call progression. Similar arrangements are provided in other forms of coin operated apparatus where operation is to be delayed until at least two coins have been inserted.

Fraud has arisen in that it has been found possible to obtain release of the first 5 coin without insertion of a second coin. The first coin, on release, triggers the hopper switch permitting call progression even though only one 5 coin has been inserted.

The method used to fraudulently obtain a call is as follows:

A 5 coin is inserted in the normal way this coin being held by the holding latch; the holding latch normally tends to move under the weight of the retained coin, to release the coin and is prevented from moving by a locking tab forming part of a locking latch. Normally the locking tab prevents movement of the holding latch. On insertion of the second 5 coin, the coin passes down, hits the first coin, bounces off the first coin and hits the locking latch. On movement of the locking latch, as a result of being hit by the second coin, the locking tab moves out of the path of the holding latch, which is thus able to move to release the first 5 coin. The fraudulent user avoids use of the second 5 coin by striking the coin return button rapidly. This causes the coin chute to vibrate which in turn vibrates the locking latch and tab. The locking latch slowly moves until the locking tab is clear of the holding latch, which then releases the retained coin. This coin passes through the coin chute, trips the hopper switch and hence permits call progression.

The present invention provides a flexibly supported stop member which is adapted to block movement of the locking tab, directly or indirectly, if vibration of the coin mechanism is occasioned. Typically the stop member is a weight, the tab being able to move either past the weight, or in a slot or other formation in the weight, when vibration is not present, vibration of the weight preventing movement of the locking tab and hence the locking latch.

The invention will ,be understood by the following description of one embodiment, by way of example, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: a

FIG. 1 is a front view of a device in accordance with the present invention, attached to a part of a telephone unit, and

FIG. 2 is a-side view of the device of FIG. 1.

Seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 is the holding latch 10, the locking latch 11 and the locking tab 12. The holding latch is pivotally mounted on a shaft 13. Projecting forward from the main portion of the holding latch 10 is an arm 14. The locking tab 12 in the present example is an extension of the locking latch 11. The end of the locking tab is bent approximately at right angles, as seen at 15, to extend across the end of the arm 14 when the locking latch is in its normal locating position. The end 16 prevents pivotal movement of the locking latch 10.

As so far described, the arrangement is normal for particular telephone units. The first 5 coin inserted passes down the coin chute and is held by the holding latch 10. The holding latch tends to pivot, to the left as seen in FIG. 2, under the weight of the coin but is prevented from so moving by the end 15 of the locking tab 12. On insertion of a second 5 down the coin chute, hits the first coin, bounces off and hits the locking latch 11. The locking latch lifts, lifting locking tab 12. The end 15 of the locking tab moves out of engagement with the arm 14 and the holding latch moves to release the retained coin. The locking tab 12 and the end 15 are shown, in FIGS. 1 and 2, in a partly withdrawn or unlocked position.

As previously stated, it has been found that vibrating the coin chute causes vibration of the locking latch. This vibration can cause the locking tab 12 to slowly move up until it is'completely clear of the arm 14. The holding latch can then move, release a retained coin and enable a call to be completed using only one 5 com.

To prevent the locking tab moving, under vibration, to an extent sufficient to release the holding latch, a moveable stop member is provided. The moveable member is such that when no vibration is present, the locking latch can be operated, the locking tab moving to release the holding latch. On occurrence of vibration, however, the moveable member moves and prevents movement of the latching tab to any considerable extent.

One arrangement for a moveable member is illustrated in the drawings. A weight 20 is mounted on the lower end of a flexible arm or bracket 21. The upper part of the arm or bracket 21 is attached to a convenient part of the telephone set, for example the 5 electro-magnet assembly 22 by stud and nut 23. The bracket 21 is arranged to support the weight 20 with the lower end of the weight positioned just above the locking tab 15, when the tab is in its normal locking position. A slot 24 is formed in the lower end of the weight and the arrangement is such that, with no vibration present, operation of the locking latch being hit by a 5 causes the locking tab l5to be moved up into the slot 24. This permits movement of the holding latch 10 to release a held coin.

If vibration is present, the bracket 21 and weight 24 vibrates. The vibration moves the slot 24 out of the path of the locking tab 15 and therefore the locking latch cannot operate and the holding latch 10 is held closed.

The arrangement illustrated in the drawings can readily be applied to existing telephones, with little or no alteration to the telephone unit. Variations in the form of the locking latch -locking tab detail will possi-v bly require some modification of the moveable member. Also, a form of locking latch can be specifically designed, if desired, to cooperate with a particular form of moveable member. The weight 20 can be arranged to vibrate in a plane normal to that shown in the drawings, with a suitable oriented tab and slot arrangement. It is also possible to mount the weight so that it is completely out of the path of the locking tab when no vibracoin the coin passes.

tion is present, vibrating into the path of the tab when vibrated. However this may not be so effective.

In the description reference has been made to vibration being present or not being present. The vibration so referred to is intended to relate to specifically induced vibration, and is intended to exclude the normal minor vibrations which may be present.

As stated, although the particular embodiment described is concerned with a pre-pay coin telephone, the invention can be applied to other apparatus where operation is by the pre-payment of two or more coins. Also, although specifically referring to 5 coins, it is not necessarily restricted to such coins and the invention is applicable to apparatus where other values of coins are used. lt is even envisaged that certain forms of apparatus may be subject to fraudulent operation without insertion of any coins, by suitable vibration to actuate a locking member.

What is claimed is:

1. An anti-fraud device for coin operated apparatus comprising:

a coin holding latch for holding a first coin of a denomination. and including an arm extending from the holding latch;

a locking latch including a tab extending therefrom,

an end of said tab bent to overlie said arm extending from said holding latch to lock said holding latch against movement by said first coin; said locking latch positioned in the path of a second coin of said denomination for movement by said second coin out of locking engagement with said holding latch;

a weight positioned adjacent the path of movement of said locking latch;

a spring mounting said weight in said position;

and

a slot in said weight, said end of said tab on said locking latch moving in said slot when said locking latch is moved by said second coin, vibration of said weight moving said slot out of the path of said 

1. An anti-fraud device for coin operated apparatus comprising: a coin holding latch for holding a first coin of a denomination, and including an arm extending from the holding latch; a locking latch including a tab extending therefrom, an end of said tab bent to overlie said arm extending from said holding latch to lock said holding latch against movement by said first coin; said locking latch positioned in the path of a second coin of said denomination for movement by said second coin out of locking engagement with said holding latch; a weight positioned adjacent the path of movement of said locking latch; a spring mounting said weight in said position; and a slot in said weight, said end of said tab on said locking latch moving in said slot when said locking latch is moved by said second coin, vibration of said weight moving said slot out of the path of said tab. 